DNR is mowing down my hunting area !

[Swampthing]

I pulled up to my hunting area last nite. And was surprised to see a rig parked there. I start scanning and there are orange flags everywhere. I see some type of all-terrain swamp machine cutting down, brush, cattails, small trees. Everything in it's path !
Has anyone seen this before?
I've seen the DNR do some controlled burning in crp grass, or plow up grassy areas and replant or allow new growth.
But why would they drive into a swamp amd start cleaning it out.
Is there some invasive disease or something ?

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[Carol]

I see that here but they are cutting the new snowmobile trails for the winter.

Same thing?

[kenn1320]

Thought NOBODY could destroy/disturb wetlands? My brother n law had the area he hunts clear cut on state land. Funny they must have noticed his stand, cause they left an island of trees around it. They came back thru and planted some pines here and there. He was bummed, but I told him that is going to be a super food source over the next 3yrs, and then thick cover after that.

[Swampthing]

There are 2 other public areas close to me that are proably 85% lowland brush, cattails, and 15% trees. I drove by them the other day and every single tree is gone ! All cut up and stacked up.

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[jigglestick]

it happens. your job now is to recongnize it for what it has now become and what it will become in the next few years, pertaining to how the deer adjust and use it, and then capitolize on it.

years back, we had this outstanding deer woods. all state land but it was land locked by my late ex father inlaws farm. we had the run of several hundred acres. the state came in and clear cut a couple forties and I thought it was horrible. I was a young man back then and only after time, did I realize the bennefits. the clear cut abutted a ridge the tapered down into a swamp that has islands. cool, I haven't thought about that place in a long time...anyway, the clear cut now encouraged the deer to follow the ridge, still under cover of un cut growth, until they popped out at the east end. we took a couple deer out that way. it was the new favorite stand.

the clear cut, lead to fresh aspen growth wich provides brwose for about two years, and then grows into dense cover, perfect for bedding.

the imediate thoughts of the trucks and skidders, and chainsaws, and slashers, was "holy crap what have they done?", the truth is it improved hunting in this heavily forested area.

I should go back there and kick around, some 25 years later. I bet I could kill a buck in there now that I know what I know

[Dewey]

I know exactly what you are talking about Swampthing. Around here the DNR has been doing the same thing in some areas and it really pisses me off. The say it is to create better nesting areas for ground birds and by removing the trees and brush they eliminate places for predators to hide.

[Stanley]

Are they harvesting or just clear cutting?

[Swampthing]

I know exactly what you are talking about Swampthing. Around here the DNR has been doing the same thing in some areas and it really pisses me off. The say it is to create better nesting areas for ground birds and by removing the trees and brush they eliminate places for predators to hide.

I don't like it , but that makes sense I guess. Problem is most of our public is prairie grass already. Very little cover the way it is.

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[Dewey]

Are they harvesting or just clear cutting?

Around here they give permits out to citizens to go in a remove the timber. Glad they at least do that but it sucks they are removing good trees when they are tough enough to find in marshes the way it is.